Superior, WI Crime Map

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About Crime in Superior, WI

How safe is Superior, WI overall?

Superior earns an overall crime grade of B+, which places it comfortably above average for cities of its size in the Midwest. With a population of roughly 26,260 spread across a low-density footprint of about 276 residents per square mile, the city avoids the concentrated crime pressures that affect more densely populated urban centers. Neighborhoods near the North End and the waterfront corridor consistently show lower incident rates, making them especially popular with families and retirees. While no city is without risk, Superior's B+ grade signals that the vast majority of residents go about their daily lives without encountering serious crime.

What is the crime rate in Superior, WI, and how does it compare?

Superior's B+ overall crime grade reflects a city that outperforms many comparable Wisconsin communities. Several socioeconomic indicators help explain this standing: the unemployment rate sits at a low 3.6%, and the median household income is $48,830 — both factors that research consistently links to reduced property and violent crime. The city's 14% poverty rate is the primary headwind, as elevated poverty concentrations tend to correlate with higher property-crime activity in specific pockets of the city. Still, when weighed against the broader data picture, Superior's crime profile is meaningfully better than the national average for cities in its population tier.

What types of crime are most common in Superior?

Property crimes — including vehicle theft, burglary, and larceny — represent the most frequently reported incident category in Superior, which is consistent with national trends for small Midwestern cities. Vandalism and substance-related offenses also appear regularly in incident logs, particularly in a few concentrated corridors rather than spread uniformly across the city. Violent crimes such as assault are monitored closely by the Superior Police Department and occur at rates that contribute to the city's favorable B+ grade. Understanding where these incidents cluster — rather than treating the whole city as uniformly risky — is exactly what the Superior crime map is designed to help residents do.

What are the safest neighborhoods in Superior, WI?

Based on available incident data, the North End and areas immediately adjacent to the Superior Municipal Forest rank among the city's lower-crime zones. Residential blocks near city parks, waterfront green spaces, and established school districts also tend to log fewer incidents, benefiting from higher foot traffic, community investment, and active neighborhood-watch participation. The city's relatively low population density of 276 people per square mile means that even neighborhoods closer to commercial corridors maintain manageable crime levels. Using the interactive crime map to filter by incident type and time period gives the clearest picture of block-by-block safety across all of Superior's districts.

Is Superior, WI a good place to live given its crime statistics?

The data makes a compelling case. Superior's B+ crime grade, combined with a median home value of just $125,439 and a median rent of $773, means residents get meaningful safety at a cost of living well below the national average. The 3.6% unemployment rate — below both state and national benchmarks — points to an economically stable community where residents have the resources to invest in their neighborhoods. The 14% poverty rate is a real challenge the city continues to address through community programs, but it hasn't prevented Superior from achieving an above-average overall safety grade. For families, young professionals, and retirees who want lakeside living, affordable housing, and a tight-knit community without big-city crime levels, Superior's numbers tell a genuinely positive story.

How can I use the Superior crime map to make safer decisions?

The crime map lets you move beyond city-wide averages and examine crime at the neighborhood and street level. Practical uses include filtering incidents by category — separating property crimes from violent offenses, for example — to understand which risks are relevant to your daily routine. Time-based filters reveal whether incidents spike on weekends, overnight, or during specific seasons, which can inform decisions about parking, commuting routes, or scheduling outdoor activities near the waterfront. For prospective homebuyers evaluating neighborhoods like the North End or areas near Superior Municipal Forest, layering the crime map with the city's socioeconomic data (median income: $48,830; unemployment: 3.6%) provides the fullest picture of long-term neighborhood trajectory.